I believe it is a time in our world for brave, courageous, intentional leadership.
Last month, in this column, you heard from my dear friend Anniela Carracedo. She is an amazing member of our Rotary family, and as a past Interactor and now Rotarian, she is this kind of leader.
Anni shared a very personal story about coping with a panic attack, something that I have also experienced. The outpouring and response to this story have been tremendous and punctuate how critical it is that we acknowledge not only our strengths but our vulnerabilities too.
When we talk about finding space for one another — creating comfort and care within Rotary — we're describing a club experience where we can all feel comfortable sharing like Anni did, and we can all empathize with and support one another. Whatever we are facing in life, Rotary is a place where we know we're not alone.
We spend so much time helping our world, whether it's working to end polio, cleaning up the environment, or bringing hope to communities that need it most. Sometimes we can lose track of the need to apply some of our energy and care to our fellow members and partners in service.
The comfort and care of our members is the single greatest driver of member satisfaction and retention. We need to ensure that it remains a priority — and that we further strengthen these bonds by performing service that helps reduce the stigma of seeking out mental health treatment and expands access to care.
That is why I'm so heartened by President-elect Gordon McInally's wonderful vision to help improve the global mental health system, not only for Rotary members, but for the communities we serve.
When Gordon announced our focus on mental health at this year's International Assembly in Orlando, Florida, he reminded us that helping others benefits our mental health by reducing stress and improving our mood. Studies show that performing acts of kindness is an effective way to improve your own mental and physical health. Rotary service brings hope to the world and joy to our lives.
Our new focus on mental health will take some time to do right, and yet it builds on something that has been part of who we are for 118 years. We are People of Action, and behind that action is care, compassion, empathy, and inclusion.
Becoming champions of mental health is not only the right and kind thing to do, it is a tool that can Create Hope in the World, Gordon's inspiring theme for his upcoming year as president.
If we serve our members, we serve our communities, and if we can meet people where they are and lift them up, they will imagine Rotary in a new light and come to fully understand our value and our infinite potential.
New Generations
Franklin D. Roosevelt once said “We cannot always build the future for our youth, but we can build our youth for the future.” Rotary International has consistently been at the forefront of providing opportunities for youth to develop the skills and characteristics necessary to be effective leaders of tomorrow.
MacEwan Rotaract Club
Members from our MacEwan Rotaract Club attended our meeting and told us about their year. We are so proud of these Young Rotarians and what they have accomplished. Their positive energy, passion and commitment to Rotary is inspiring.
The Rotaractors have rolled up their sleeves and worked beside us on many hands-on projects this year. These include Edmonton Food Bank, Root for Trees Planting Event, Purolator Tackle Hunger, serving a Thanksgiving Meal at Boyle Street Community Services, picking up garbage for Highway Clean-Up, building and delivering beds for Ukrainian Refugee Families through Sleep in Heavenly Peace, collecting donations and bedding for the Ukrainian Refugees, participated in the ETS Stuff a Bus, collected donations with the Salvation Army Christmas Kettle Campaign, and prepared and served a meal at the Hope Mission.
They had a booth at both of the MacEwan University Student Group Expo where they generated a lot of interest in Rotary and Rotaract.
There are many learning and development opportunities available to Rotaractors through District 5370 and they participated in the Fall Assembly and we funded 9 of the Rotaractors to attend the recent District Conference in Jasper.
Natasha and Chelsea were part of the District Team that went to Belize to build a playground. They also helped to clean up the sea wall and visited an orphanage.
All in all, they have had a very exciting and productive year and we are looking forward to seeing what they can accomplish next year. With this dynamic group......the sky's the limit!!
WELL DONE ROTARACTORS!!!
Edmonton West in the Community
Grandview Extended Care
Each Rotary Club in the Rotary World was asked to design a special project in order to help celebrate the 100th anniversary of Rotary International in 2005. The Rotary Club of Edmonton West chose to celebrate this anniversary, plus the Club's 50th anniversary, by creating the "Rotary-Grandview House of Friendship" at Capital Care Grandview.
The Rotary-Grandview House of Friendship is an approximate 1100 square foot addition adjacent to the main entrance of Capital Care Grandview. It includes the "Tuck Shop" where they sell cards, snacks, and crafts made by the residents, a large room with big windows where residents can enjoy a good view of the exterior, a gas-fired fireplace for a cosy feeling on a cool day, and wall displays of resident-created art works. The House of Friendship has been occupied and used by the residents and staff of Grandview since we cut the ribbon on February 23, 2005. It is a place where they can visit with friends and family in a quiet, peaceful, and beautiful environment.
To provide ongoing maintenance and support our club applied for a district grant to replace the worn out furniture in the Friendship Room. Thanks to Al for applying for the grant....and for modelling the lovely furniture!!
The Daytimers
The enthusiastic Daytimer Group have been busy working hard at Grandview. Fred, Lorne and Al dismantled the old rotting standup planters and stockpiled the dirt. Then they constructed 4 new standup planters and shoveled the dirt into those. Residents will be growing a variety of flowers and possibly some vegetables.
Great Work!!!
Highway Clean-Up
A joint effort from Rotary Club of Edmonton West Members, MacEwan Rotaract Club and Vimy Ridge Interact Club. We spent a lovely Sunday morning picking up garbage with Adopt-a-Highway. We only filled 38 bags this time! Thanks to the drivers for not throwing their garbage into the ditches!!
Membership
New Member Fireside ~ May 12
by Bruce Hobin
Like many clubs, our club hosts ‘firesides’ as a way to welcome new members to our club and meet some members in an informal setting. It provides new members an overview of the world
of Rotary, information about our club and the variety of opportunities to be involved.
On Friday, May 12 we held a fireside chat at the home of Al and Karen Sanderson to acquaint some of the club’s newer members about Rotary and the club itself. Besides Al, Bruce, Vicky
and Doug participated in the event. The new members who attended were Bern Ayotte, Karen Gibbens, Jigo George, Nancy Lavimizadeh and Krista Galenzoski (prospective new member).
The evenings activities began with everyone introducing themselves. Doug, Vicky, Al and Bruce shared their experiences about being Rotarians. The new members talked about their
backgrounds and why they wanted to become a member of Rotary and our club.
Bruce then led the discussion about the history of Rotary up to the current time. Topics included the beginnings of Rotary in 1905 and its founder Paul Harris to becoming a global organization
of some 1.4 million members and 46,000 clubs worldwide. Rotary International’s administration is headquartered in Evanston Illinois with Zones (34), Districts (529) and individual clubs. Our club is in Rotary District 5370. We discussed Rotarians, Rotaractors (younger members), Interact clubs (high school) and Early Act (elementary grades). We also acquainted the new members
with Rotary’s seven areas of focus. And, we encouraged those attending to log into Rotary.org to explore what Rotary International has to offer.
Al provided to the group information about the Rotary Club of Edmonton West, its history, how the club is structured, the various club committees and the use of ClubRunner as the club’s
communication tool. We then talked about the club’s projects, both community and international. We also discussed how the club identifies new projects and that any member may bring forward
a proposal for a project for the Board to consider. The club’s longtime eye care project in Guatemala led by member Ben Doz and the Belize education project were highlighted as
examples of successful international projects. The new members were informed about annual club dues and how these funds support the club’s administration, our District and Rotary
International which includes Rotary, its monthly magazine.
The Rotary Foundation was discussed. We talked about donating to the Foundation and earning a Paul Harris Fellowship through personal donations. We explained that the money invested in the
Foundation is used to support projects through District Grants (community) and Global Grants (international).
The evening concluded with a question and answer session with the new members and hearing how they would like to be involved in the club’s projects and activities.
New Member Induction
At the meeting today President Doug and Membership Chair Bruce, inducted and welcomed Krista Galenzosky into the Edmonton West Family. Congratulations!
Foundation Moment
Capital City Integrity Awards
The Capital Region Integrity Award recipients shared their amazing stories during an inspiring evening at the Chateau Louis. It's heartwarming to hear the good news stories of how they are giving back to their community and improving the lives of others.
Thanks go out to all of the participating clubs and DG John Nicoll. A special thanks to Lesley MacDonald, our wonderful MC.
Edmonton West Nominees
Our club has committed to organizing the event for three years. The first one was a huge success and we are already looking forward to next year. It will be the 30th Anniversary of the Integrity Awards and so we have something special to celebrate.
Edmonton West Golf FUNdraiser
The Golf Committee has been hard at work behind the scenes organizing the tournament, procuring sponsors and donations.
There is still much to do.....how can you help??
If you haven't already, bring 2 nice bottles of wine for the auction. (Min $25.00 per bottle)
We still need live and silent auction items.
We need to fill 6 foursomes. First come, first serve.
The auction is where we make most of our money. Money we need to continue with the good work we do in the community.
I will be sending out an email in regards to volunteering on the day in the next couple of weeks. So stay tuned.
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